Background

A large number of Danes are annually sent to hospital with suspected heart rhythm disturbances (arrhythmias) and is admitted for observation in order to have the suspicion either confirmed or dismissed. The number of people who actually needs treatment is relatively small, but the resources spent on screening and monitoring in the hospital are comprehensive. Finding a better way to diagnose patients, which can reduce the current spending without compromising quality and patient safety, is, therefore, high on the agenda.

To this end, a technology called ePatch was developed by a former innovation project in cooperation with the company DELTA. ePatch allows wireless monitoring of people suspected of arrhythmia and has previously been tested on inpatients in order to clarify the clinical effectiveness of the technology. The next step is to examine ways of implementing ePatch in the daily operations of a hospital.

Purpose / vision

The aim is to uncover whether carrying out screening of patients with arrhythmia in their own homes via the ePatch technology is a viable idea.

• The project has conducted a pilot test including approximately 80 patients who have been screened in their own homes. The results of the pilot test are awaited; when available, it will be assessed whether the project idea can be built into the daily operations of a hospital.
• The project has cooperated with SOS International, which has helped with the logistics in terms of making the technology available to citizens who, after visiting their GPs because of suspicion of arrhythmia, have been referred for screening and assessed suitable for home screening based on the new technology.

What is the expected outcome of the project?

It is expected that the project will provide Odense University Hospital (OUH) with a business and organisational model that describes ways of implementing ePatch or a similar technology in the daily operations of the hospital. The project does not include clinical tests of the technology.

Wireless home monitoring of citizens with suspected arrhythmia will result in a more efficient use of resources at OUH's outpatient clinic as well as at the GPs, and will also pave the way for a better everyday life for these patients, as they will experience greater mobility and flexibility when they can avoid hospitalisation.

Participants

Department of Cardiology B - OUH

Centre for Innovative Medical Technology - OUH

Delta

SOS International